Thursday, September 30, 2004
Indeed, I am offended, Mr. Sandefur: Tim Sandefur, in discussing a case filed against the City of Los Angeles for removing a cross from the city seal, asks whether Christians should be offended that public displays of religion are often defended based on their historical, and not religious, value. The argument bascially says, "Yes, the cross is a religious symbol, and thus might violate the Establishment Clause, but it's been there for so long and it's really just a civic acknowledgment of our religious heritage so we should keep it."
This argument is nonsense, and I take offense to it not chiefly because it offends me, but because I think it offends God. Things like crosses or stone monuments or images are not how God desires to be worshipped, and even in those ways that He has commanded us to worship Him, he takes no pleasure in it being heartless and not focused completey on Him. Consider the words of Isaiah on these matters:
"What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me?" Says the LORD. "I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle; And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats. When you come to appear before Me, Who requires of you this trampling of My courts?
Bring your worthless offerings no longer, Incense is an abomination to Me. New moon and sabbath, the calling of assemblies-- I cannot endure iniquity and the solemn assembly.
I hate your new moon {festivals} and your appointed feasts, They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing {them.} So when you spread out your hands {in prayer,} I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood. Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow." Isaiah 1:11-17
God takes no pleasure in a public display of honor to Him if it is devoid of any real meaning. In fact, it angers Him. So yes, I have major problems with arguments in favor of public displays of religion when those arguments run as far away from God as possible.
This argument is nonsense, and I take offense to it not chiefly because it offends me, but because I think it offends God. Things like crosses or stone monuments or images are not how God desires to be worshipped, and even in those ways that He has commanded us to worship Him, he takes no pleasure in it being heartless and not focused completey on Him. Consider the words of Isaiah on these matters:
"What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me?" Says the LORD. "I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle; And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats. When you come to appear before Me, Who requires of you this trampling of My courts?
Bring your worthless offerings no longer, Incense is an abomination to Me. New moon and sabbath, the calling of assemblies-- I cannot endure iniquity and the solemn assembly.
I hate your new moon {festivals} and your appointed feasts, They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing {them.} So when you spread out your hands {in prayer,} I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood. Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow." Isaiah 1:11-17
God takes no pleasure in a public display of honor to Him if it is devoid of any real meaning. In fact, it angers Him. So yes, I have major problems with arguments in favor of public displays of religion when those arguments run as far away from God as possible.
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